Georgian Cheese Boat

"Ask us what our perfect middle-of-the-week dinner spot looks like and we’ll offer up Georgian Cheese Boat. The Georgian spot in North Beach is pumping out perfect boat-shaped khachapuri, refreshing salads, soups, grilled chicken and lamb, and gigantic khinkali. If they were serving those soup and meat-filled dumplings in the middle of the Bay Bridge at rush hour, we’d still send you there. For a hyper-casual spot (you order on a big screen by the bar), this place has a lot of perks: quick service, cozy charm, and a great selection of Georgian wines. A not-so-fun perk: inevitably fighting over the leftovers." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong

"Ordering the khinkali from this Georgian restaurant in North Beach will transport you to a higher plane of existence. The jumbo, sack-like pockets with the thick knotted tops are brothy and perfect. Get the lamb or beef version for maximum juiciness. But you can’t go wrong with the velvety potato-filled ones, either. Order at the self-service kiosk and feel free to get tap happy—some Georgian wine and a bread boat filled with tangy melted cheese, butter, and egg should accompany your dumplings." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong

"We submit Georgian Cheese Boat as the perfect casual dinner spot. This North Beach place (the city’s only Georgian restaurant) is brimming with perks you didn’t know you needed: quick service, homey charm, and a fun selection of Georgian wines. If Cheese Boat was located in the middle of the Bay Bridge at rush hour, we’d still send you there. Another perk: leftovers. They're guaranteed since you’ll probably get tap-happy at the tad awkward (but efficient) self-service kiosk, which includes a digital screen and pictures of every dish. You won’t regret ordering too much since the traditional homestyle food is so good, and the streamlined process will make you giddy about all the salads, sausages, stews, and khachapuri heading your way. photo credit: Melissa Zink photo credit: Melissa Zink photo credit: Melissa Zink Speaking of khachapuri, this spot’s namesake dish—a bread boat filled with tangy melted cheese, butter, and egg—is incredible. As are the juicy beef and lamb khinkali full of rich broth. Since this is the place to order enough food to feed a baseball league, be sure the following are on the table, too: the phkali, a puréed, walnut-based salad with minced vegetables (get it with a side of bread), the golden-fried cornish game hen, and the gooey cheese-stuffed puffed penovani. Drinking wine (just $10-$13 a glass), preferably while catching up with your tablemates, is a non-negotiable. Out of Georgian Cheese Boat’s many superpowers, one we admire the most is its versatility. It’s casual enough for you to just stroll in (no reservations here), but also ideally suited for cute date nights—just so long as you’re OK with having to wait for someone to finish tippity-tapping at the ordering station. photo credit: Melissa Zink photo credit: Melissa Zink Food Rundown photo credit: Melissa Zink Khinkali Do you want to reach the next plane of existence? Order these. The jumbo dumplings with the thick knotted tops are brothy and perfect. Get the lamb or beef version for maximum juiciness. But you can’t go wrong with the velvety potato-filled ones, either. photo credit: Melissa Zink Khachapuri The all-stars of Georgian Cheese Boat, and they must be on your table. There are a variety to choose from, like spinach or bacon acharuli khachapuri, bean-filled lobiani, and the cheese-filled puff pastry known as penovani. We like the acharuli classic, with its salty tang and perfect crust. Georgian Salad A nice way to cut through all the richness of the cheesy breads you’re going to encounter here. It’s a simple, herby medley of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and cilantro. Chicken Tabaka This cornish game hen is butterflied and pan-fried until it gets a golden-brown crust. The skin is wonderfully crispy, and the meat is juicy. This is a lovely entrée to share. photo credit: Melissa Zink Phkali Combo The traditional Georgian dish makes for a great starter. It’s made with minced beets, spinach, and carrots. The combo also comes with a few satisfying tolma and rolled eggplants topped with a creamy sauce. photo credit: Melissa Zink Kupati We’re not the biggest fans of this dry and grainy beef sausage. But, it’s served with well-seasoned hand-cut fries that are perfectly crisp. Savory Crepes The crepes come in mushroom or beef. The mushroom is earthy and light, but the beef version has much more depth of flavor." - Lani Conway